These two images are from the Korean-language primer used in the colonial schools under the Japanese. What’s interesting here is the usage of Chinese (漢文, 한문, Hanmun) within the textbooks to guide the student, noting differences between the form of the Hangul and the pronunciation.

This makes me really curious: how was Korean taught at the time? How was the writing system standardized? How and why was Chinese (漢文, 한문, Hanmun) used in the classroom and textbooks? Although I always end up with more questions then answers, that’s all part of the fun!

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zhongruige

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This is interesting. This would useful in learning Chinese characters and Korean — two birds with one stone. I would like to learn more about the role of Hangul in the Japanese Colonial Period as well. I imagine there are many Korean studies about this subject.

That’s what I am curious about too! I am hoping to improve my Korean so I can look into studies done on these texts (few as there are). Next time I am at the library I will try and get some more details to share with you, if you’re interested.